Valencia striker Simone Zaza says he ‘absolutely’ wants to be part of Italy’s future after Giampiero Ventura.

Zaza’s nine goals this season have helped fire Valencia to second in La Liga, and the former Juventus hitman – vilified after his infamous penalty miss at Euro 2016 – believes he is ready to relaunch his Italy career.

“Unfortunately, my knee did a number on me that week,” he told Tuttomercatoweb, referring to his absence in the World Cup playoff against Sweden.

Former Albania boss Gianni De Biasi has confessed that he would welcome the Italy job “with open arms”.

De Biasi presided over the most successful six years in Albania’s history between 2011 and 2017, guiding them to their first-ever major tournament last year, although the Italian veteran was recently sacked by La Liga side Alaves.

“First of all, I’d like a President with clear ideas, that isn’t only an expert in economic and financial terms and also has an idea of the technical and tactical project,” he told TMW Radio.